The Daily Journal from Vineland, New Jersey • 13

1 4 tins h- -Jracni 1 WW 1 1 (s ill 4--1 liirr -1- i2J 3SS 1 IL m. i i I III I I if xl 1 "W-- r. A1S' i.l (--tJ At I TZr itrwjj i.S?fecf journal. .1 March 7,1968 Page 13 i.J i t-qg i "HOUSING PROJECTS OLD AND NEW Pictured at left is a section of Bridgeton's 100-unit low rent housing i complex known as Maplewood Gardens. The complex today looks much as it did seven years when first occu-; pied, defying criticism of skeptics.

At right is a portion of Vineland's 25-unit low rent complex at Sixth and Peach sts. The Vineland project still is in infancy, having been first occupied last November. (Times Journal photos). ii ir II 1. I II ll l.

0 2 mm. i.f I I IBM 7-YEAR-OLD BRIDGETON UNITS SPARKLE Prospects Bright for Attractive Low-Rent City to Maintain Housing Complexes -tESJirl I By PETE LANING As the Vineland Housing Authority continues to seek an "acceptable" method of introducing 150 new units of low income housing, the 25-unit complex at Sixth and Peach sts. is experiencing what one veteran official has termed "growing pains." Authority officials and Sixth and Peach tenants have cited a series of "problems" arising from project living, but to William Bowen, Bridgeton's Housing Authority Director, there should be little cause for immediate alarm. Bowen, who has operated low income housing projects in Bridgeton for seven years, leans back with a reminiscent smile as he notes Vineland's "problems" recalling his own operation in 1961 -indicating the issue is one which should remedy itself in time. The Sixth and Peach complex opened last November following a rocky history of planning which included NAACP contentions that the sight and grouping would simply maintain ghetto conditions and assurances by city officials that Negro leaders would be consulted in future planning.

Some hailed the project as a "salvation" for those living in slum housing while others condemned the proposal, saying it would never last. tf3MlMAMHfcJaMMBBiMMIIniJI Recently the Vineland Community Action Committee surveyed the project and filed a series of "complaints" with the Housing Authority. The CAC charged that the project had begun to "deteriorate" in two months, listing loose cabinets, loose tiles, loose plumbing fixtures and plaster cracks. However, the Authority contended that the "complaints" involved normal building settling, and the CAC appeared satisfied after receiving assurances that the settling-related problems would be remedied by the contractors. CAC officials said that they had conducted their own survey without going to the Authority immediately, because some residents feared they would be billed for repairs to damage that was not their fault.

A recent TIMES JOURNAL inspection of several of the Sixth and Peach units revealed that, while the buildings were not ready to tumble after two months, settling-type problems did exist. In most of the kitchens observed, cabinets had separated from ceilings by an eighth to a quarter of an inch but none appeared to be loose. Isolated instances- of separations also were observed along mouldings in living rooms and bedrooms. In areas of LAUREN DeCOU periment on tomatoes. It was the first time in the United States that an attempt had been made to store such a large quantity of tomatoes under Controlled Atmosphere conditions.

As an experimenter, Lauren also continues to try out new apple and peach varieties as well as to implement new spraying techniques. As a member of the new breed of college-educated farmers, Lauren has applied modern conservation practices in cooperation with and recommended by the local ACP (Agricultural Conservation Program). He has constructed 3,000 feet of waterways throughout the orchards in addition to planting 30 acres of peaches on the contour. Lauren has also constructed his own variation of a weed control spray applicator for orchard use. Lauren is treasurer of the West Cumberland Ruritan Club, member of the nj Shiloh Grower Named Young Farmer LOW RENT UNIT INTERIORS The above rooms present a picture typical of most of the units at Bridgeton's Maplewood Gardens Project.

Bridgeton officials attribute an emphasis on "pride of residence" to the apparent success of the project there. (Times Journal photos). State Education Board Joins In Call for Possible New Tax heavy traffic, tiles had loosened, but no more than two or three loose tiles. Several instances were noted of loosening of small tile pieces in areas abutting bath and plumbing fixtures. At least one or two plaster cracks were noted on walls of each apartment observed, mostly above doors.

Authority officials have said that any separations will be re-caulked as soon as settling appears under control. Meanwhile, the Authority has also listed a few "problems" of its own. Recently Director Narchie Rigo mailed notices to all tenants at the project "warning" them to correct several lease violations. Rigo pointed out that the letter had not been intended as a sweeping condemnation of all teneants, with the final paragraph reading "This notice has been sent to all tenants as a warning. If it does not apply to you, disregard it." The letter to tenants listed "violations" including: Unauthorized personnel living in apartments.

Loud and abusive lagnguage in open areas. Gambling on the premises. "Excessive consumption of alco- holic beverages. -Disregard of lawns and shubbery. Trash or garbage collecting near apartments.

Board of Directors of the New Jersey Peach Promotion Council and member of the New Jersey Fruit Co-op Association, the New Jersey Farm Bureau, the Cumberland County Board of Agriculture and the New Jersey Apple Industry Council. His community activities include membership on the Shiloh Borough Council, a chairmanship in the Bridge-ton Rotary Club, and membership on the Board of Directors of the Bridgeton Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Lauren is chairman of the Adult Education Program at the Bridgeton YMCA and vice chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee of the local Jaycees. He resides in Shiloh with his wife and son, Tommy, two deer, one dog and three cats. Lauren will compete in Des Moines with young farmers from the entire country for the title of National Outstanding Young Farmer in April.

Town Evicts Man's Pet Bear PAULSBORO, N.J. (UPI) Donald Stetser, 23, today was looking for a home for his pet-A black bear. Stetser, a liquor store owner, found the bear as a baby cub in Maine. Fellow hunters said the cub would die without his mother. So Stetser brought him home, rigged a cage in the back yard out of storm fencing and watched him grow.

He has-and now stands over four feet tall and weighs 100 pounds. The local Board of Health ruled Tuesday night that the bear was in violation of the town's nuisance ordinance and was a danger to children. Stetsen said the bear, now a year old wouldn't hurt anyone and called the board of health a nuisance. The T-J inspection revealed that in isolated cases, bits of paper had been allowed to collect in front of apartments. One tree was noticed snapped at the base and pieces of shrubbery had been flattened.

It also was noted that almost all rain gutter pipes were heavily dented in at least two places. However, no obvious "damage" to the buildings was observed. Authority officials contend that maintenance men are kept busy policing paper in the courtyard area and stress that the lease states this is the responsibility of the tenant. While Vineland officials wrestle with "growing pains," Bridgeton's low income complex appears to stand out as one which has met the test of time, defying the criticism of skeptics. Bridgeton's low income housing is located on two sites-one 100-unit complex on south East and another 36-unit complex on Mill st.

Both are in or at the edge of Bridgeton's Second Ward a predominantly Negro district. In each case the grounds are well cared for and free of debris and the buildings present the appearance of any apartment complex in any town. Director Bowen cites what he terms an "80 percent success" ratio in the project's seven years of operation. "I'd say that about 80 per cent of the people here maintain their places perfectly," Bowen said. "There are another 15 per cent that are on the border and five per cent that you have to keep after." He adds that at least 80 families who entered the project several years ago "have been able to buy their own homes, being able to save enough money here" for down payments.

"Another thing," Bowen adds, "several teachers have told me about a remarkable change they found in kids who came to live in the project. The kids didn't come to school cold and could get a hot bath in the morning. They no longer had a chip on their shoulder They didn't have to go out and cut wood in the mornings to cook breakfast." Bowen's formula for success has been a rigid enforcement of Authority regulations combined with an emphasis on development of self pride. The director said that some 20 evictions have been registered over a seven-year period because of unauthorized people living in apartments, "but the major eviction cause has been rent payment trouble." He said some 50 tenants had been evicted during his tenure due to a lack of rent payments, but this he does not regard as serious. "We had a few problems the first summer with lawns," Bowen admitted.

"In many cases the tenants didn't know how to care for lawns. But through education all that changed. The only time we lost a tree was once due to a gas leak but never to damage." Bowen solved the problem of damaged shrubbery before it appeared by planting "thorny" bushes. "Let's face it," he said. "Kids will be kids no matter where you are.

They just love to run and jump in bushes. I know I did when I was that age. But they're less likely to play around something that has thorns in it." Bowen said he helped tenants organize garden clubs to encourage pride of residency. "We loaned them a few garden tools and they did the rest," he said. "There's an area over there in the courtyard that's known as society block," he added.

"In the summertime they compete to see who will cut their lawns first." Lauren DeCou of DeCou Hilltop Orchards, Shiloh, has been selected as New Jersey's Outstanding Young Farmer of 1967 by the State Chapter of the Jaycees. The selection was based on quality of farming practices, innovations and inventiveness used by the young farmer in his work, and farm and community-related practices. Lauren came to the area in 1965. During the past three years he has renovated 275 acres of peaches and apples, updated buildings, storages and equipment. With the help of his wife, Genie, he has successfully revitalized a potentially thriving fresh fruit and vegetable roadside market 30 yards from the packing house on Route 49.

Lauren's interest in farming has its foundations in his childhood on his father's fruit farm in Cherry Hill. The oldest of seven children, Lauren led the way as a young 4-H'er winning blue ribbons with his Cheviot sheep, laying hens, and strawberries. After graduation from Moorestown Friends School in 1958, Lauren pursued a liberal arts education at Earl-ham College, Richmond, Ind. During his sophomore year he studied at the University of Vera Cruz and Mexico City College. Upon returning to Earl-ham, he captained the soccer team for two victorious years and was subsequently recognized for his outstanding playing by the All American Selection Committee.

Following graduation from Earlham in 1962, Lauren continued his education at Purdue University, receiving his M.A. degree from the Department of Horticulture in 1965. Since his arrival in Shiloh, the young farmer has been working in conjunction with the local extension service as well as Rutgers University to initiate progressive farming techniques. His progressiveness came to the fore two years ago when he tried a Controlled Atmosphere storage ex- will work cooperatively with the Board of Higher Education to examine new curricula, new policies and new requirements for teachers. In the interest of attracting additional able people to teaching, teacher certification requirements are under continuing study." The statement went on to say that changes in policy and programs alone will not provide more and better teachers, but that more money is needed.

Marburger said the board was not asked to adopt the policy statement by Dungan, who attended an executive session of the board Wednesday. Burglary Suspect Nabbed at Shore ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (UPI) Police Wednesday caught one man while another escaped from a stolen truck, which contained a safe with $3,226 in cash and stamps in it. Detective Capt. Lewis Schwartz said patrolmen Donald Mazur and James Rush, on routine patrol, noticed a truck parked near a printing firm on Presbyterian Avenue, during the wee-hours of the morning.

The two officers became suspicious when they noticed the truck had the engine running and the inside lights were on. As the two patrolmen approached the truck two men jumped out and ran. Rush captured Alonzie Bennefield, 25, who later was booked on charges of breaking, entry, and larceny. His companion escaped, i TRENTON (UPI) -The Board of Education today was the third state agency on record urging the legislation to provide more money perhaps even with new or increased taxes- for its programs. "We are convinced that it is imperative that new sources of revenue be provided for more higher education facilities and increased support of our public schools," the board said Wednesday in a policy statement unanimously approved.

Newsmen were later told by Education Commissioner Carl Marburger that the board and his department believe bond issues and increased taxes could be used. The state Board of Higher Education and the state Board of Control, in addition to higher education Chancellor Ralph A. Dungan, have taken similar stands. Gov. Richard J.

Hughes, in his proposed 1969 budget, sharply reduced the budget requests of both education departments. His budget does not call for new or increased taxes. The policy statement stressed the board's and the department's support of new admissions policies recently adopted by the Board of Higher Education, which have been attacked by several organizations including the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA). "The new admissions policies are consistent with the efforts of the state Board of Education to improve the quality of teacher education in New Jersey," the statement said. "The Department of Education shall continue to deal actively with all aspects of the problem of meeting the needs of teacher supply.

This board.